GB2418121A

GB2418121A - Fishing weight

Info

Publication number: GB2418121A
Application number: GB0517360A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel John Forrest
Original assignee: BREAKAWAY TACKLE DEV CO Ltd
Current assignee: BREAKAWAY TACKLE DEV CO Ltd
Priority date: 2005-08-24
Filing date: 2005-08-24
Publication date: 2006-03-22
Anticipated expiration: 2025-08-24
Also published as: GB2418121B; GB0519691D0; GB0517360D0

Abstract

An anchor weight for anglers comprises a body 1 of die-cast material such as zinc having a nose portion 2 with an external step 3. The nose portion 2 has two longitudinal slots 4 mutually at right angles. Located in each slot is the transverse portion 5a of an anchor wire 5. Each wire has a part 5b generally at a right angle to the part 5a with an elbow 5c which engages a channel 6 in the outer surface of the weight and which continues with an extending anchor limb 5d. The wires are retained against longitudinal displacement in the slots by a nose closure sleeve member 7 which is of ogival shape to overlie the nose portion 2 and complete the smooth external contour of the weight by closing the stepped part 3. The member 7 includes recesses 7a which accommodate the wire parts 5a where they project from the slots 4. The tail portion has a slot 31 with a pivot 32 which accomodates a wire (33, fig 5) with a line retaining eye (35 and a bait hook retaining means (36)).

Description

SINKER WEIGHTS FOR ANGLERS' LINES

Field of the Invention

This invention concerns an improved sinker weight assembly for anglers.

Background to the Invention

A sinker weight is known from GB 1346697A. The anchor wires in such a weight are intended to provide improved holding on the sea bed, for example when encountering strong tidal flow.

As used herein the "tail" of the weight is the end of the weight attached to the line and the "nose" is the opposed end carrying the anchor wires.

An object of this invention, at least in its preferred embodiments, is to provide a sinker weight with an anchor wire assembly at the nose end and which may be assembled more easily and possibly automatically using a machine, for example.

Another object is to provide a weight which may be more readily fabricated using environmentally friendly metals which normally have to be castings.

A further and alternative object is to provide an anchor weight incorporating a bait hook retention means at the tail end which holds the hook during the casting operation.

Yet a further object is to provide a sinker weight combining the aforesaid objectives.

Summary of the Invention

According to this invention there is provided a sinker weight having a nose to receive one or more pivotally secured anchor wires and a tail for attachment to a fishing line, the nose having at least one slot the plane of which extends longitudinally of the weight to receive a transverse portion of an anchor wire, a nose closure member overlying the nose to trap the transverse portion of the wire in the slot against longitudinal movement.

The anchor wires are thus trapped against longitudinal movement in the slots but may pivot.

Preferably, two slots will be provided in the nose of the weight, the planes of the slots being substantially mutually perpendicular. A pivotal anchor wire is located in each slot and retained by the nose closure member whereby the wires are retained but nevertheless may pivot.

Preferably, channels are provided in the side flanks of the nose of the weight, the channels receiving a bead element located on an anchor wire where same bends generally at a right angle to normally lie parallel to the longitudinal axis and along the surface of the weight.

The bead element may be positioned along the relevant portion of the anchor wire at a selected point within this channel thereby affording variation of the force necessary to cause the anchor wire to snap back to the retracted position required for reeling in the line.

Thus, by positioning the bead closer to the pivotal axis of the wire where it passes through the slot a greater resistance to pivoting of the anchor wires is provided and, conversely, by locating the bead further back less force is required to pivot the said wires. The wires may, however, equally well be secured by a peripheral elastic band which is selected to yield at the required force. The bead may be replaced by a roller or by an elbow bend in the wire forming a point to engage a respective channel.

In a preferred embodiment, the nose of the weight has a stepped forward part within which the slots are located and, after assembly of the wires in the slots, a sleeve is fitted over the stepped part and secured by a nose cap or by a "snap-fitting" arrangement to retain the wires. The sleeve may include recesses which embrace the wires.

This invention also provides an anchor weight in which: a) the tail end includes a longitudinal slot, b) a line attachment link retained in the slot by a transverse pivot, c) the link having a first limb extending from the tail with a line attachment means and a second limb extending laterally from the slot and forming a bait hook retaining means.

The second limb preferably includes an angled portion extending from the tail end of the weight and normally projecting forward towards the nose of the weight when the first limb is in a line attached position applying longitudinal force between said limb and the weight body, the link being capable of pivoting when such force is removed whereby the s second limb projects laterally or rearwardly.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An embodiment incorporating both features of this invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, the embodiment being by way of example only. In the go drawings: Figure 1 shows a side view of a sinker weight and including both features of this invention; Figure 2 shows a detail view of the nose closure member; Figure 3 shows a detail of the bait hook retaining means at the tail of the weight; 2s Figure 4 shows an alternative means of retaining the anchor wires in the nose of the weight; and Figure 5 shows a modification of the bait hook retaining means at the tail of the weight.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings an anchor weight comprises a body 1 of die- cast material such as zinc or a metal alloy having a nose portion 2 with an external step 3.

The nose portion 2 has two longitudinal slots 4 mutually at right angles. Located in each slot is the transverse portion 5a of an anchor wire 5. Each wire has a part 5b generally at a right angle to the part 5a with an elbow 5c which engages a channel 6 in the outer surface of the weight and which continues with an extending anchor limb 5d. Only one anchor wire is shown in the drawing. The wires are retained by a nose closure sleeve member 7 which is of ogival shape to overlie the nose portion 2 and complete the smooth external contour of the weight by closing the stepped part 3. The member 7 includes recesses 7a which accommodate the wire parts 5a where they project from the slots 4.

The tip of the nose portion 2 may be closed by a separately fitted insert 2b or, alternatively, as shown here the part 2b may be integral with the portion 2 and thus the whole of the weight body formed from a metal casting whereby the slots extend through the nose rather than being open channels.

The anchor wires S are passed through the respective slots from the side which have a sufficient fore-aft depth to allow the bent portions Sb to pass. The member 7 in this latter case is of plastic material and is pressed over the nose and to assist this operation slots 7b (Figure 2) may be included which permits the narrow end of the member to spread so that the part 7 snap-engages over the nose portion 2.

In the alternative arrangement shown in Figure 4, the slots in the nose portion extend forwardly and are open at the nose permitting the anchor wires to be laid in the slots following which the sleeve member 7 is located over the nose and secured by a screw or go other means 8. The sleeve member may be of a plastics material or, in this case, rigid as deformation is not necessary.

The second aspect of this invention is shown more clearly in Figure 3 taken in conjunction with Figure 1. The tail 30 of the weight has a slot 31 with a transverse pivot 32 which may be a separate insert or an integral moulded cross-piece. A bait hook retaining wire 33 is located on the pivot 32 and this may be profiled as shown to facilitate press engagement. The wire 33 has a first limb 34 with an eye 35 forming an attachment point for a line L and a second limb 36 extending towards the nose and defining between the limb and the weight body a hook retaining zone 37. When the line L is taught the angle of the limb 36 holds the bait hook. When the weight impacts a water surface the line slackens and/or the water drag permits the limb to pivot back thus releasing the hook.

Figure 5 shows a modification, reference numerals being the same as in Figure 4. With the pivot 32 arranged lower in the slot 31 the hook release limb portion 36 partly enters the slot. The bait hook, however, bridges the slot and follows the weight external contour and is forced outward along the limb 36 assisting leverage until final disengagement. In this version the line attachment point is closer to the pivot fulcrum thus requiring less deflection.

In this invention the anchor weight is cast from zinc or an alloy with the slots pemmitting the pre-bent anchor wires to be inserted through the slots. The nose is shouldered and to tapered providing a location for a polymer sleeve which conforms to the taper and provides a smooth external profile when fitted. The sleeve retains the anchor wires in the slots preventing longitudinal displacement of the wires. The cap is slotted to allow flaring when fitted over the nose.

t In summary, an anchor weight for anglers comprises a body of die-cast material such as zinc having a nose portion with an external step. The nose portion has two longitudinal slots mutually at right angles. Located in each slot is the transverse portion of an anchor wire. Each wire has a part generally at a right angle to the part with an elbow which engages a channel in the outer surface of the weight and which continues with an extending anchor limb. The wires are retained against longitudinal displacement in the slots by a nose closure sleeve member which is of ogival shape to overlie the nose portion and complete the smooth external contour of the weight by closing the stepped part. The member includes recesses which accommodate the wire parts where they project from the slots.

Claims

Claims 1. A sinker weight for use in angling having a nose to receive one

or more pivotally secured anchor wires and a tail for attachment to a fishing line, the nose having at least one slot the plane of which extends longitudinally of the weight to receive a transverse portion of an anchor wire, a nose closure member overlying the nose to trap the transverse portion of the wire in the slot against longitudinal movement.
2. A sinker weight in accordance with claim 1, wherein the slot extends through the nose and is closed towards the front.
3. A sinker weight in accordance with claim 1, wherein the slot comprises a channel extending across the nose and open towards the front.
4. A sinker weight in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein two slots are provided in the nose of the weight, the planes of the slots being substantially mutually perpendicular.
5. A sinker weight in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein an anchor wire iS located in each slot and retained by the nose closure member permitting pivotal movement within the slots.
6. A sinker weight in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the nose of the weight has a stepped forward part within which the slots are located, the nose closure member comprising a sleeve locating over the stepped part to retain the wires against longitudinal movement.
7. A sinker weight for use in angling having a nose to receive one or more pivotally secured anchor wires and a tail for attachment to a fishing line, the nose having an So external stepped peripheral recessed part having at least one slot extending laterally through said part of the nose with the plane of the slot extending longitudinally of the weight, the slot receiving a transverse portion of an anchor wire, a nose closure member overlying the recessed part of the nose to trap the transverse portion of the wire in the slot whilst permitting rotation thereof.
8. A sinker weight for use in angling in which the tail end includes a longitudinal slot, a line attachment link retained in the slot by a transverse pivot, the link having a first limb extending from the tail with a line attachment means and a second limb extending laterally from the slot and forming a bait hook retaining means.
9. A sinker weight in accordance with claim 8, wherein the second limb includes an angled portion extending from the tail end of the weight and normally projecting forward towards the nose of the weight when the first limb is in a line attached position applying longitudinal force between said limb and the weight body, the link being capable of pivoting when such force is removed whereby the second limb projects laterally or rearwardly.
IO. A sinker weight in accordance with any of claims l to 7 as described herein and exemplified with reference to the drawings.
11. A sinker weight in accordance with claim 8 or 9 as described herein and To exemplified with reference to the drawings.

12. A sinker weight as described herein and as shown in the drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. A sinker weight for use in angling having a nose to receive one or more pivotally secured anchor wires and a tail for attachment to a fishing line, the nose having at least one slot the plane of which extends longitudinally of the weight to receive a transverse portion of an anchor wire, a nose closure member overlying the nose to trap the transverse portion of the wire in the slot against longitudinal movement.

2. A sinker weight in accordance with claim 1, wherein the slot extends through the to nose and is closed towards the front.

3. A sinker weight in accordance with claim 1, wherein the slot comprises a channel extending across the nose and open towards the front.

4. A sinker weight in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein two slots are provided in the nose of the weight, the planes of the slots being substantially mutually perpendicular.

5. A sinker weight in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein an anchor wire no is located in each slot and retained by the nose closure member permitting pivotal movement within the slots.

6. A sinker weight in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the nose of the weight has a stepped forward part within which the slots are located, the nose closure member comprising a sleeve locating over the stepped part to retain the wires against longitudinal movement.

7. A sinker weight for use in angling having a nose to receive one or more pivotally secured anchor wires and a tail for attachment to a fishing line, the nose having an so external stepped peripheral recessed part having at least one slot extending laterally through said part of the nose with the plane of the slot extending longitudinally of the weight, the slot receiving a transverse portion of an anchor wire, a nose closure member member overlying the recessed part of the nose to trap the transverse portion of the wire in the slot whilst permitting rotation thereof.

8. A sinker weight in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the tail end includes a longitudinal slot, a line attachment link retained in the slot by a transverse pivot, the link having a first limb extending from the tail with a line attachment means and a second limb extending laterally from the slot and forming a bait hook retaining means.

to 9. A sinker weight in accordance with claim 8, wherein the second limb includes an angled portion extending from the tail end of the weight and normally projecting forward towards the nose of the weight when the first limb is in a line attached position applying longitudinal force between said limb and the weight body, the link being capable of pivoting when such force is removed whereby the second limb t5 projects laterally or rearwardly.

10. A sinker weight in accordance with claim 8 or 9, wherein the tail of the weight forwardly of the pivot is profiled or recessed defining an angular catchment zone between said recess and the second limb to retain a bait hook.

1 1. A sinker weight in accordance with claim 8 or 9 or 10, wherein the tail of the weight rearwardly of the pivot has a projecting abutment serving to cause a bait hook to slide along the second limb and detach therefrom when the link pivots.
12. A sinker weight in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 7 as described herein and exemplified with reference to the drawings.
13. A sinker weight in accordance with any one of claim 8 to l I as described herein and exemplified with reference to the drawings.
14. A sinker weight as described herein and as shown in the drawings.